Did the title catch your attention? Good, I was hoping it would.
I've seen people talk about this attitude on allnurses quite a bit, and I find the reactions fascinating. I'm amazed at the passion, care and professionalism of the nurses on this board and really about every nurse I've ever met.
BUT, everyone-from the most seasoned nurse to the student- knows that nursing is changing and will probably continue to change dramatically over the years to come. There are CNAs and MAs who seem to have an increasing role in the healthcare system and nurses themselves have more responsibility (all the charting etc.) and demanding jobs as new diseases, new medicines and standards of care make their way into our lives.
My question is, do you think their should be a change in what nurses do? Will there come a time when basic hygiene and certain other tasks often done by nurses in the past will be the responsibility of CNAs and others in similar roles? Would this be a good thing for nurses? Is there really anything wrong with nurses who feel that four years of education + all of their other demands and responsibilities should mean that they shouldn't have to do these tasks?
I agree that ultimately it is the nurses responsibility, but until floors/hospitals and healthcare in general gets a collaborative teamwork atmosphere together, there will not be change. Fortunately on my floor, we have a GREAT team atmosphere where my techs and I work hand in hand to CARE for the patients, poop and all :-)!
This is so ironic I was at work last week and there was only one CNA for 25 patients when usually there would be two on the night shift since we had enough nurses that night our supervisor decided that one of the nurses would work as a CNA for the shift. All the nurses were fine with it except for one who said at the nurses station that she didn't go to school to be a f------ CNA. Needless to say that nurse was fired for her unprofessionalism.
I agree that ultimately it is the nurses responsibility, but until floors/hospitals and healthcare in general gets a collaborative teamwork atmosphere together, there will not be change. Fortunately on my floor, we have a GREAT team atmosphere where my techs and I work hand in hand to CARE for the patients, poop and all :-)!
sounds to me that you are a great nurse...one in which i would like to be. i was telling the nurses on my floor about how i wanted to be a hands on nurse and never be the nurse who walks away from a pt in need of a bedpan and they suggested i work in icu. i never, NEVER considered that..until now. i feel that on the floor..resentment would fester as the cna's appreciate that i'm not afraid to answer a call light. plus, i really do believe that it is essential to assess the poop, pee, and skin of a pt.
It is all in the attitude!. In business, (and nursing is ultimately a business for the company you work for), the bottom line is to be profitable. Your RNs get paid a lot more than a CNA. It is not cost effective to have and RN spending time on things that a CNA could do, because, in turn, a CNA cannot give meds, shots etc.
But if something needs done and the RN says "it's not my job" then she/he failed the first basic definitation of NURSE-ing. I've got a niece who is a STNA (CNA) and was having trouble holding a large lady on side while she cleaned a mess and asked an RN if she could just help balance her for only a few moments and she was told "no, not my job" in front of patient.
Never forget the people you have climbed over to get to the top. You will definitely meet them on your way down!:smiley_ab
Did the title catch your attention? Good, I was hoping it would.
I've seen people talk about this attitude on allnurses quite a bit, and I find the reactions fascinating. I'm amazed at the passion, care and professionalism of the nurses on this board and really about every nurse I've ever met.
BUT, everyone-from the most seasoned nurse to the student- knows that nursing is changing and will probably continue to change dramatically over the years to come. There are CNAs and MAs who seem to have an increasing role in the healthcare system and nurses themselves have more responsibility (all the charting etc.) and demanding jobs as new diseases, new medicines and standards of care make their way into our lives.
My question is, do you think their should be a change in what nurses do? Will there come a time when basic hygiene and certain other tasks often done by nurses in the past will be the responsibility of CNAs and others in similar roles? Would this be a good thing for nurses? Is there really anything wrong with nurses who feel that four years of education + all of their other demands and responsibilities should mean that they shouldn't have to do these tasks?
If you don't like the poo, get out of the poo business.
I worked night shift this week where there was 20 pts, 3 nurses and me (an aide). Do you honestly believe that I should be turning and cleaning up the total care patients by myself?? Wouldn't you like to see that rash on the butt of the pt with C-Diff? Wouldn't you like to assess the patient while he/she is rolled over? Don't you want to see more of your patient than when you hang fluids?
You don't want to do aide work but yet there are aides and techs out there that can do catheters, EKG's, and do blood draws. Don't they teach you COMPLETE care of the patient in nursing school? If I walk by a room with an IV pump beeping because it needs more fluids I stop and add more, even though it is a nurse's responsibility.
i've said it before i'll say it again..."i know that nurses are extremely busy, but so are cna's" and if they are too busy to get to a pt to give them a bedpan then it IS the NURSES job to do it...not the cna's to do when he/she gets the chance...that pt needs the bedpan now!
jay
This is the attitude that bugs me. I spent 3 years being an aid, I know how hard it is. I communicate with my PCTs, help them with baths and bedpans and they know I'll do whatever my pt needs if I'm not tied up. I know very well that when a pt says they need to go potty, they really need to go. If I can't get to it, that's because I'm in the middle of something I can't delegate. I'm dealing with something that I have to do.
It is all in the attitude!. In business, (and nursing is ultimately a business for the company you work for), the bottom line is to be profitable. Your RNs get paid a lot more than a CNA. It is not cost effective to have and RN spending time on things that a CNA could do, because, in turn, a CNA cannot give meds, shots etc.
But if something needs done and the RN says "it's not my job" then she/he failed the first basic definitation of NURSE-ing. I've got a niece who is a STNA (CNA) and was having trouble holding a large lady on side while she cleaned a mess and asked an RN if she could just help balance her for only a few moments and she was told "no, not my job" in front of patient.
Never forget the people you have climbed over to get to the top. You will definitely meet them on your way down!:smiley_ab
Good post. Guess I am looking for that balance between: absolutely as a NA, I want to do my job, I don't want to have to depend on you, the nurse, for help, but
for the sake of the patient, sometimes you need to help. But I primarily need to be available for the nurse.
The stress here, I believe, is being created by poor staffing ratios, and management not clearly defining how the team should function.
I want to do my job, I don't want to have to depend on you, the nurse, for help, but for the sake of the patient, sometimes you need to help.
doesn't it almost seem like some of us are meeting the same people?
~and cadash, from me to you, don't let this independance thing get the best of you. if it's somebody's job to help you, make them. i've got one heck of a year-long rhomboid strain and i'm all about the help now...~
I totally disagree. Most of the patients that I know & care for find it to be very impressive when an RN does actually take part in the "dirty parts" of patient care. I know several family members & patients that have complained when an RN has left a room to get an CNA to empty a commode or toilet someone. When an RN behaves as if that these jobs are to be done by people "below them", other people sense that, & think that the RN is rude & not caring.
Yes, It got my attention! I been a Medical Assistant for 13 years and I am trying to become a LVN. I have never wiped behinds. I would gladly do it to be able to to say yes to the dreaded question,"Are you a nurse?" I hate saying ,"No, I am a medical assistant." The TV commercials make it sound like a dog could graduate the program and unless you are a NURSE the patients doubt your ability to care for them. I discovered that a MA gave a patient a B12 injection instead of a Depo Medrol! I want to be a nurse! They deserve the respect they get. Thanks for listening.
Did the title catch your attention? Good, I was hoping it would.
I've seen people talk about this attitude on allnurses quite a bit, and I find the reactions fascinating. I'm amazed at the passion, care and professionalism of the nurses on this board and really about every nurse I've ever met.
BUT, everyone-from the most seasoned nurse to the student- knows that nursing is changing and will probably continue to change dramatically over the years to come. There are CNAs and MAs who seem to have an increasing role in the healthcare system and nurses themselves have more responsibility (all the charting etc.) and demanding jobs as new diseases, new medicines and standards of care make their way into our lives.
My question is, do you think their should be a change in what nurses do? Will there come a time when basic hygiene and certain other tasks often done by nurses in the past will be the responsibility of CNAs and others in similar roles? Would this be a good thing for nurses? Is there really anything wrong with nurses who feel that four years of education + all of their other demands and responsibilities should mean that they shouldn't have to do these tasks?
I spent 3 years being an aid, I know how hard it is. I communicate with my PCTs, help them with baths and bedpans and they know I'll do whatever my pt needs if I'm not tied up. I know very well that when a pt says they need to go potty, they really need to go. If I can't get to it, that's because I'm in the middle of something I can't delegate. I'm dealing with something that I have to do.
mags2u
3 Posts
I agree that ultimately it is the nurses responsibility, but until floors/hospitals and healthcare in general gets a collaborative teamwork atmosphere together, there will not be change. Fortunately on my floor, we have a GREAT team atmosphere where my techs and I work hand in hand to CARE for the patients, poop and all :-)!